Applicable GST rate on Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs), Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and other similar scrips –regarding - GST - 46/20/2018

Circular No. 46/20/2018-GST F. No. 354/149/2017 TRU Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Tax Research Unit ****** North Block, New Delhi Dated the 6th June, 2018 To The Principal Chief Commissioner/ Principal Directors General/Chief Commissioner/ Directors General/Principal Commissioner/ Commissioner of Central Excise and Central Tax (All) / Director General of Systems Madam / Sir, Subject: Applicable GST rate on Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs), Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and other similar scrips regarding Representations have been received seeking clarification regarding the classification and applicable GST rate on the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs). 2. Earlier, in response to a FAQ, it was clarified (vide advertisement dated 27.07.2017), that MEIS and other scrips like SEIS and IEIS are goods classified under heading 4907 and attract 12% GST, which is the general GST rate for goods falling under heading 4907. Subsequently, the duty credit scrips classifiable under 4907 were exempted from GST, while stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title [other than Duty Credit Scrips], classifiable under heading 4907, attract 12% GST. 3. Later on, Circular No. 34/8/2018- GST dated 01.03.2018 (S.No.3) was issued clarifying that PSLCs are taxable as goods at a standard rate of 18 % under the residual entry S. No. 453 of Schedule III of notification No. 01/2017-Central Tax (Rate). 4. As a result, there is lack of clarity on the applicable rate of GST on various scrips/ certificates like RECs, PSLCs etc. 5. The matter has been re-examined. GST rate of 18 % under the residual entry at S.No. 453 of Schedule III of notification No. 01/2017-Central Tax (Rate) applies only to those goods which are not covered under any other entries of Schedule I, II, IV, V, or VI of the notification. In other words, if any goods are covered under any of the entries of Schedule I, II, IV, V, or VI, the GST rate applicable on them will be decided accordingly, without resorting to the residual entry 453 of Schedule III. 6. As such, various certificates like RECs, PSLCs etc are classified under heading 4907 and will accordingly attract GST @ 12 %, though duty paying scrips classifiable under the same heading will attract Nil GST{under S.No. 122A of Notification No. 2/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017, as amended vide Notification No. 35/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 13.10.2017 }. 7. Accordingly, in modification of S.No. 3 of Circular No. 34/8/2018- GST dated 01.03.2018 , it is hereby clarified that Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) and other similar documents are classifiable under heading 4907 and attract 12% GST. The duty credit scrips, however, attract Nil GST under S.No. 122A of Notification No. 2/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017. 8. If any difficulty is faced, the same should be brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version would follow. Yours faithfully, (Dr. Ajay K. Chikara) Technical Officer Tax Research Unit